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Building a stone fireplace is a great way to make a statement but stone is expensive and heavy so you have another option to consider with fake stone fireplaces. With this, you can enjoy the look and feel of natural stone without the expense. In addition, fake stone fireplaces are void of the heavy weight of natural stone, which means installation is made easier. In fact, many homeowners will make this type of fireplace a do-it-yourself project, which eliminates the time and money investing in a professional installer.
Fake stone fireplaces use a material called “precast stone”, which can take an ordinary fireplace and transform it into a rich, gorgeous focal point. This type of stone is actually lightweight veneer but the appearance to natural stone is amazing. To make these stones, cement, lightweight aggregate, and iron oxide pigments are used. The result is a nice variety of color, shape, and size. Therefore, fake stone fireplaces can look as if they are made from expensive limestone or river rock, and everything in between. Fake stone fireplaces can be created as a weekend project with not too much effort. The key is using the right mortar and at the right consistency. Another important thing associated with fake stone fireplaces is the placement of the stones. For this, we recommend you lay the design out on the floor first. That way, you will know exactly the amount of precast stone needed and the way in which the front will look when complete. As you shop for precast stones, you will have the opportunity to look at a number of fake stone fireplaces to get some ideas. Most manufacturers have an excellent selection of “stones” from which to choose with ledge stone being a favorite. Keep in mind that fake stone fireplaces can be simplistic or over the top. Just imagine having a beautiful fireplace in a formal setting made from castle stone! Other tools needed for fake stone fireplaces in addition to precast stones include some type of moisture-resistant barrier. Typically, people will use tarpaper or roofing felt. Then, metal lath will provide structural strength, giving you a place on which the mortar can be adhered. Finally, we suggest you use type N premixed mortar. In addition to being easy to handle, you can also choose this type of mortar in various colors, matching the stone perfectly. While creating fake stone fireplaces are generally a two-person project, if you take your time and start the project prepared, you can create something magical on your own. |
